Fir things first: A route to truly sustainable biomass

The escalating trade war between the US and China threatens to sweep the UK up in its wake. In spiralling reprisals these competing global powers have produced long lists of products which could face import tariffs.

Being the world's largest exporter, one product the US will try to avoid duties on is wood pellets. The prime importer of this commodity is the UK, followed some way behind by Denmark, South Korea, and Belgium. Most of these pellets are then burnt in biomass power plants like the Drax power station in Yorkshire, not far from my constituency of Leeds North West.